PAPER E
RYDE TOWN COUNCIL
Report To:
Finance Committee - 12 January 2021
Report From:
Gareth Hughes - Responsible Financial Officer.
Lisa Dyer - Town Clerk
Report Title:
BUDGET AND PRECEPT SETTING FOR THE 2021-22
FINANCIAL YEAR
1. Purpose
To provide background information to the Committee to assist Members in
considering the base budget and precept for the 2021-2022 financial year. The
Full Council will be required to set a legal budget and precept at its meeting in
February, unless the Isle of Wight Council set a different timetable.
2. Background
2.1 The current precept on the local taxpayer is £1,123,605, which represents a
Band D Council Tax of £137.36 per annum.
3. Budget Setting Process
3.1 A draft budget for next year based on current levels of service, contracts
awarded and previously approved decisions is attached as Appendix A.
3.2 At this stage the taxbase for 2021-2022 has yet to be announced and so that
applicable to the current financial year has been included in Appendix A. Any
increase in taxbase is likely to have only a minimal effect on the Band D Council
Tax.
3.3 The following notes are to assist members in their consideration of the draft
budget as presented -
(i) If the precept were to increase by an amount to balance the budget as
contained in Appendix A, and provide reserves of £180,000, then the annual
increase in a Band D Council Tax would be £10.54 or 20.3 pence per week
(an increase of 7.68%) to give a Band D Council Tax of £
150.19 Each £1,000 increase in precept adds 12.3 pence to a Band D
taxpayer
Should the budget contained in Appendix A be increased by £54,000 to
provide for the estimated first year annual costs for Ryde Town Hall of
E - 1
£36,000 and £18,000 for the two new requests for annual grant funding, then
the precept would need to increase by 12.48% to £1,263,839, giving a Band
D Council Tax of £154.51 (an annual increase of £17.15 or 33 pence per
week.
(ii) The salary budget includes the full year effect of all previously approved
appointments and includes any costs arising from the 2020-2021 staffing
review completed by the Personnel Panel on 2nd December The salary
budget for Network Ryde is contained within the Network Ryde budget line.
A breakdown of the Network Ryde budget is attached as Appendix B.
Having regard to the timing of approved appointments it is recommended
that any savings in the salary budget in the current year are earmarked and
carried forward to the 2021-22 financial year.
(iii) Appendix A also includes a budget provision of £15,000 to meet the cost
of providing community support arising from Covid 19 and a general
provision for inflation on all goods and services of £25,000.
4. Current Budget Commitments
4.1 During the current financial year there have been a number of one off savings
arising from Covid and these were contained in the financial forecast report
as presented to Full Council on 2 November. That meeting also approved
additional financial support of £60,000 for the Waterside Community Trust in
the current financial year and this has been included in Appendix A
4.2 The Town Council had originally allocated Community Grant funding of £21,000
and Marketing Grant funding of £15,000 in the current financial year and these
have been included as budget sums in Appendix A for 2021-22. In addition the
Town Council has also agreed annual ongoing funding, for significant town
events to the following organisations:
• Ryde Carnival Association £9,000
• New Carnival Company £3,000
• Ryde Arts Festival £3,000
• Harp on Wight £2,700
• Classic Car Event £8,000 increased from £1,500 to support a longer event
in 2021.
Requests for funding on an annual basis have now been received from Wight
Wave Beach Soccer (£8,000) and from the IW Bus Museum (£10,000).
4.3 The following ongoing funding has been previously awarded to external
organisations for local projects and is carried forward into Appendix A:
• Footprint Trust - Warmer Home initiatives £9,000
• Gift to Nature - Countryside Sites in Ryde £10,000
• Waterside Community Trust - Splashpark £10,000
• Waterside Community Trust - Swimming Pool £20,000
• Aspire - Annual funding of £15,000 was awarded for 2019/20,
E - 2
2020/21 and 2021/22 and is carried forward into Appendix A.
• Community Connectors £20,000
• Community Rail Partnership £2,000.
4.4
The Town Council is already contractually committed to delivering the following
services until 2022 and the budget lines for these have been carried forward into
Appendix A.
• Beach Cleaning £40,000.
• Summer and Winter Planting/Watering £34,100
• Beach Safety and First Aid £21,000
• Marketing Projects £29,000
• Public Conveniences £80,700
4.5
The Town Council has been committed to the following budgets in respect of
Council owned/managed assets and property and the budget lines for these have
been carried forward into Appendix A:
• Lighting, Christmas trees, sockets and unmetered supply £25,000
• Skatepark £20,000
• Allotments £15,000
• Network Ryde £172,000.
• Lifeguard Station and steps £4,000
• Flagpole £200
• Island Games Water feature £200
• Million Bloom site £700
The lighting budget has been increased by £5,000 arising from the introduction
of charging from Island Roads for Christmas lighting works, not previously
charged.
4.6
The Town Council also funds the following discretionary projects and initiatives
and the budget lines for these have been carried forward into Appendix A:
• Ryde in Bloom £4,500
• Memorial Wreaths/Poppy Appeal £300
5.
Contributions towards Isle of Wight Council Delivered Services
5.1
During last year’s budget setting process the Town Council agreed to provide
funding support for the lifetime of this Council towards:
• a dedicated Ryde Environment Officer (4 days a week)
£17,300
• Playground Equipment £24,000
These budget lines have been carried forward into Appendix A.
5.2
The Grounds Maintenance service is assumed to be continued at current
budget levels.
E - 3
6.
Planning Matters/HIAZ
The Planning Committee has oversight of the following budgets, which were
included in Appendix A for the current financial year -:
• Public Realm £27,500
• HSAZ
£47,000
At a meeting of the Town Council held on 1 July 2019 it was agreed that an
allocation from the Town Councils Public Realm budget could be used for the
Ryde High Street Action Zone Funding with initial funding of £60,000 in year
one, £15,000 in years 2 and 3 and £10,000 in year 4 if required (totalling
£100,000 over
4 years). A total of
£65,000 is currently contained in an
earmarked reserve in the Councils accounts for HIAZ, arising from a contribution
from the Public Realm budget in the 2019-20 financial year. It has now been
estimated that HIAZ will require total RTC funding of £120,000 over the 2020-21
and 2021-22 period, which is now reflected in the budget for 2021-22 together
with a contribution of £11,500 being put back into the HIAZ Reserve Account.
Budgets for Planning and Greening Ryde are as presented to the informal
Finance Committee in December.
7.
Ryde Harbour and surrounding land
It has been agreed that the transfer of this facility from the Isle of Wight
Council should take place at the commencement of the 2021-22 financial
year. The content of Appendix A for Ryde Harbour is derived from the content
of the approved Business Plan and shows a small surplus for 2020- 21.
8.
New Projects
(i)
St Thomas Church - At this stage it is assumed that all revenue costs
associated with the project, will be offset by equivalent savings in the
Network Ryde budget
(ii)
Vectis Hall - a budget has been introduced for loan charges on the
purchase and the securing of the site.
(iii)
A budget provision of £10,000 has been introduced for the acquisition of
deckchairs.
(iv) A sum of £40,000 has been included for the purchase of St John Park.
(v) A provision of £50,000 has been budgeted for the seed funding of new
organisations.
(vi) No provision has been made regarding any contribution to the movement
of sand at Ryde beach.
(vii) No provision has been made at this point for any costs arising from the
proposed lease of Ryde Theatre/Town Hall. An estimate of provisional
annual costs of £36,000 was reported to the Finance Committee at its
meeting on 1st December 2020.
(viii) It has been assumed that the capital costs of St Thomas Church
(£286,000) and Vectis Hall (£125,000) will be met from borrowing
approvals. At this stage a borrowing approval for St Thomas Church
has been approved, and a borrowing application for Vectis Hall
has been submitted. There is no guarantee that an approval for
Vectis House will be forthcoming.
E - 4
9.
Reserves
Having regard the investment in new assets and introduction of new services
such as Ryde Harbour, it would be prudent to give consideration to an
increased level of general reserves during the budget setting process. A Risk
Assessment will be undertaken with regard to increased risk and will form part
of the budget report to the January Finance Committee. .
In addition to General Reserves and the earmarked reserve in paragraph 6
above, the Council also holds earmarked reserves for Elections ((£10,000)
and Youth Services (£14,000).
10.
Consultation
It is good practice for Parish and Town Councils to undertake consultation on
the setting of the budget and precept. Having regard to Covid 19 and social
distancing requirements, consultation this year was limited to the Council’s
newsletter, website and social media. A questionnaire has produced over 75
responses to a wide range of questions and these can be found at Appendix C
to this report.
11.
Corporate Plan
In setting the budget and precept Members are reminded that the objectives
for funding outlined in this report reflect the aims detailed in the Council’s
Corporate Plan.
12.
Recommendations
In light of all of the above the Responsible Financial Officer recommends that the
Town Council considers the draft budget for 2021-22.
At the time of writing this report no formal requests have been received about
the possible devolution of or funding towards services or projects currently
delivered by the Isle of Wight Council.
APPENDICES
i.
APPENDIX A - Budget Forecast to March 2022
ii.
APPENDIX B - Network Ryde Budget Forecast to March 2022
iii.
APPENDIX C - Consultation Results
E - 5
APPENDIX A
FINANCIAL FORECAST TO 31ST MARCH 2022
2020-21
2020-21
2021-22
FINANCE COMMITTEE
BUDGET
REVISED
FORECAST
ADMINISTRATION
£
£
£
Salaries
263,100
263,100
276,300
Employers NI
22,800
19,000
19,400
Pension contributions
56,200
44,000
44,900
Payroll Admin
1,000
1,500
1,500
Mileage Allowances
0
3,500
3,500
HR Advice
0
10,000
10,000
Bid Writing
0
4,000
0
Legal Fees
0
25,000
0
Acquisition Costs & Reports
0
20,000
0
Commercialisation Costs
0
15,000
0
Seed Funding
0
0
50,000
TOTAL
343,100
405,100
405,600
OVERHEADS
IT Support
6,000
6,000
6,000
Mayors Honarariium
100
100
100
Newsletter
8,000
5,000
8,000
Training
2,000
2,000
2,000
Broadband & Phone
4,000
4,000
4,000
General Admin & Supplies
12,000
12,000
12,000
Members Computer Supplies
500
500
500
Advertising
2,000
2,000
2,000
Audit
2,300
2,300
2,300
Subscriptions
2,000
2,000
2,000
Insurance
4,000
4,000
4,000
Professional Indemnity
6,100
6,100
6,100
Website
5,800
5,800
1,000
Room Hire
800
800
800
TOTAL
55,600
52,600
50,800
COVID 19
0
15,000
15,000
INFLATION PROVISION
0
0
25,000
GRANTS & CONTRIBUTIONS
Community Grants
21,000
15,000
21,000
Marketing Grants
15,000
7,000
15,000
Community Connector
20,000
20,000
20,000
Ryde Carnival Association
9,000
0
9,000
Aspire re Volunteer Service
0
9,000
0
New Carnival Company
3,000
3,000
3,000
Classic Car Event
1,500
0
8,000
Ryde Arts Festival
3,000
3,000
3,000
Harp on Wight
2,700
800
2,700
Aspire
15,000
15,000
15,000
Community Rail Partnership
2,000
2,000
2,000
Countryside Sites
10,000
10,000
10,000
Waterside Community Trust
20,000
80,000
20,000
Waterside Splashpool
10,000
0
10,000
Warmer Homes
9,000
9,000
9,000
Marketing
29,000
15,000
29,000
TOTAL
170,200
188,800
176,700
Honours Working Party
2,500
0
2,500
New Services
78,072
0
0
TOTAL
420,972
377,600
355,900
TOTAL COMMITTEE BUDGET
649,472
661,500
675,600
E - 6
FACILITIES & ASSETS COMMITTEE
BEACH SERVICES
Appley Steps
200
200
200
Beach Safety
21,500
21,500
21,500
Lifeguard Station
1,200
1,200
1,200
Deckchairs
0
0
10,000
Beach Cleaniing
30,000
40,000
40,000
Additional Bin Collection
0
3,000
3,000
TOTAL
52,900
65,900
75,900
RYDE HARBOUR
Staff costs
0
0
72,000
Site running costs
0
0
8,500
Equipment
0
0
2,600
General overheads
0
0
3,400
Fixed overheads
0
0
4,000
Maintenance
0
0
20,000
Loan Repayments
0
0
19,200
TOTAL
0
0
129,700
Income
0
0
-131,100
TOTAL
0
0
-1,400
ST THOMAS CHURCH
Electric
0
0
1,000
Heating
0
0
1,000
Renovations
0
0
2,000
Business Rates
0
0
1,700
Water
0
0
1,000
Loan repayments
0
0
14,300
Savings on current premises
0
0
-16,000
Income
0
0
-5,000
TOTAL
0
0
0
VECTIS HALL
Security
0
0
1,000
Insurance
0
0
1,000
Repairs
0
0
5,000
Loan Charges
0
0
6,600
TOTAL
0
0
13,600
LIND STREET
Rent
23,200
23,200
23,200
Rates
4,100
4,100
4,100
Gas
2,500
2,500
2,500
Electricity
2,000
2,000
2,000
Water
1,000
0
1,000
Cleaning
4,000
4,000
4,000
Facilities Management
7,000
7,000
7,000
TOTAL
43,800
42,800
43,800
OPEN SPACES
Allottments
15,000
10,000
15,000
Allottments Income
0
-7,800
-7,800
Decorative Lighting
20,000
20,000
25,000
Environmental Officer
17,000
16,500
17,300
Flagpole
200
200
200
Hanging Baskets/planting
34,100
34,100
34,100
Island Games Water Feature
200
200
200
Memorial Wreath/Plaque
300
300
300
E - 7
Million Blooms
700
0
700
Park Services
46,400
36,600
38,300
Playground Equipment
24,000
12,000
24,000
St Johns Woodland
0
0
40,000
Public Conveniences
80,700
70,700
80,700
Ryde in Bloom
4,500
0
4,500
Skatepark
20,000
15,000
20,000
TOTAL
263,100
207,800
292,500
Network Ryde
172,000
159,000
172,000
TOTAL COMMITTEE BUDGET
531,800
475,500
582,800
PLANNING COMMITTEE
Public Realm
27,500
19,300
27,500
HSAZ
47,500
47,500
19,000
Planning
0
0
18,500
Greening Ryde
0
0
10,000
TOTAL COMMITTEE BUDGET
75,000
66,800
75,000
TOTAL EXPENDITURE
1,256,272
1,203,800
1,347,000
INCOME
Precept
1,123,605
1,123,605
1,209,839
Local Council Tax Grant
7,528
7,528
7,528
Bank Interest
5,000
4,000
3,000
Allotments
7,800
0
0
TOTAL INCOME
1,143,933
1,135,133
1,220,367
BALANCES B/F
292,339
375,300
306,633
SURPLUS/ DEFICIT
112,339
68,667
126,633
BALANCES C/F
180,000
306,633
180,000
TAXBASE
8179.9
BAND D
147.90
CURRENT BAND D
137.36
% INCREASE
7.68
E - 8
APPENDIX B
NETWORK RYDE
BUDGET 2021-22
£
Salary
94,500
NI
5,500
Pensions
22,000
General Admin
5,000
Rent
9,800
Rates
5,200
Water
1,000
Electricity
3,000
Food and Drink
2,000
Waste Removal
500
Broadband & Phone
3,000
IT Support
3,000
Cleaning
2,500
Expeditions
8,000
Insurance
2,000
Contingency
5,000
172,000
E - 9
APPENDIX C
age 1
1
Provision of Public Realm Improvements
funding for items such as new street
CURRENT PROVSION OF SERVICES The Town Council is
lighting, rubbish bins, benches and
currently committed to, by way of contract until the next
improvements to public spaces. Cost
Town Council ordinary elections, to providing a range of
per household £3.16 and total £27,500
key services in Ryde such as public toilets, beach
lifeguards, rst aid, allotments, beach cleaning and oral
planting schemes. The Town Council also offer the
following services which are reviewed annually.
CURRENT PROVISION The Town Council review the
provision of the following services annually and would like
your views on whether we should continue to fund the
services listed below in the next nancial year, 2021/22.
Are you happy for the Council to continue funding the
92% (69)
8% (6)
following: All Yes/ No answers
Yes
No
31.5
75
Standard Deviation
Responses
2
Provision of Youth Services and the
3
Contributing to the landscape of IW
Youth Cafe at 147 High Street. Costs per
Council managed Parks and Gardens
household per annum £21.03 and total
such as Appley Park and additional bin
£172,000.
emptying on the seafront during the
summer. Costs per household per
annum £5.19 and total £47,400
79% (58)
21% (15)
Yes
No
91% (69)
9% (7)
Yes
No
21.5
73
Standard Deviation
Responses
E - 10
31
76
Standard Deviation
Responses
Standard Deviation
Responses
4
Community Connector - A community
5
Maintaining and updating local play
based support worker helping the most
areas. Costs per household per annum
vulnerable in society or those with
£2.99 and total £24,000
complex needs to access services and
support within the local area. Costs per
household per annum £2.45 and total
£20,000
95% (71)
5% (4)
Yes
No
33.5
75
Standard Deviation
Responses
73% (52)
27% (19)
Yes
No
16.5
71
Standard Deviation
Responses
6
Providing grants to local community
groups such as Beach Soccer, Citizens
Advice, Victim Support, Monkton Arts
and many others. Applications are
considered and accessed on need and
how they meet the objectives of the
recently adopted Corporate Plan. Costs
per household per annum £2.57 and
total £21,000
85% (61)
15% (11)
Yes
No
E - 11
25
72
Standard Deviation
Responses
7
Provision and maintenance of the
8
Town Marketing - Promoting Ryde as a
Skatepark. Costs per household per
tourist destination via advertising in local
annum £2.45 and total £20,000
and national media. Costs per household
per annum £5.38 and total £44,000
72% (54)
28% (21)
Yes
No
65% (47)
35% (25)
Yes
No
16.5
75
Standard Deviation
Responses
11
72
Standard Deviation
Responses
9
To establish events for example this
10
Funding contribution to the Waterside
year's Ticket to Ryde which took place in
Pool. Costs per household per annum
August 2020. Costs per household per
£2.44 and total £20,000
annum £1.25 and total £10,240 +
licences
74% (55)
26% (19)
Yes
No
66% (47)
34% (24)
Yes
No
18
74
Standard Deviation
Responses
11.5
71
Standard Deviation
Responses
E - 12
11
Funding for the Children's Splash Park
12
Festive decorations - provision of
on Ryde Esplanade.Costs per
Christmas Trees and Festive Lighting
household per annum £1.22 and total
around the town. Cost per household
£10,000
per annum £3.06 and total £25,000
83% (62)
17% (13)
71% (54)
29% (22)
Yes
No
Yes
No
24.5
75
16
76
Standard Deviation
Responses
Standard Deviation
Responses
13
Regular annual funding contributions
14
Funding for the Ryde Environment
for local events such as the Carnivals,
O cers - responsible for the
the Classic Car Show, Harp on Wight
enforcement of y tipping, litter, gra ti
and Ryde Arts Festival. Costs per
and dog fouling regulations. Costs per
household per annum £3.14 and total
household per annum £2.13 and total
£25,700
£17,400
83% (63)
17% (13)
84% (63)
16% (12)
Yes
No
Yes
No
25
76
25.5
75
Standard Deviation
Responses
Standard Deviation
E - 13
15
Funding contributions for the
16
Grant funding to organisations that
management of Open Spaces at Pig
help the most vulnerable in society ie
Peg Lane. Costs per household per
with heating costs, advice and support
annum £1.22 and total £10,000
in accessing services. Costs per
household per annum £1.10 and total
£9,000
69% (50)
31% (22)
Yes
No
84% (63)
16% (12)
Yes
No
14
72
Standard Deviation
Responses
25.5
75
Standard Deviation
Responses
17
Ryde in Bloom Competition. Costs per
household per annum £0.55 and total
£4,500
61% (45)
39% (29)
Yes
No
8
74
Standard Deviation
Responses
E - 14
18
ACQUISITIONS AND COMMERCIAL
19
Would you still be in favour of this if
STRATEGYRyde Town Council have
this meant an increase in the precept?
been asked, at times, to consider
Every £1,000 of expenditure adds 12
taking on additional services and
pence to a Band D Council Tax.
responsibilities. It has, during the
current nancial year, moved forward
with negotiations regarding taking
ownership of the harbour as well as a
3 year lease with an option to purchase
the freehold of Ryde Theatre. It has
also negotiated and agreed with the
owners of St Thomas’s Church to buy
the property. Vectis Hall has very
72% (51)
28% (20)
recently been purchased at a price of
Yes
No
£125,000 and the Town Council
has just been approached by the
15.5
71
Standard Deviation
Responses
Trustees of St Johns Park (woodland
situated between Easthill Road and
Westhill Road) to buy the woodland for
the bene t of the community.As
previously mentioned the Town
Council is hoping to negotiate a 3 year
lease of the Town Hall with an option
to purchase the freehold. Would you
be in favour of this?
79% (61)
21% (16)
Yes
No
22.5
77
Standard Deviation
Responses
E - 15
20
The Town Council has recently purchased Vectis Hall. How would you like to see this
property used?
Coworking space / remote work hub
In any way that supports entry to employment or social cohesion and the engagement of those on the margins
As a school for apprentices in the traditional trades accompanied by business input for them to eventually run their own business
The building needs much work to bring it to habitability. May be advertise it for rental.
community asset for the arts
Master Builder Guild Centre: Town archive of buildings and history . Skillset training centre for building crafts such as carpentry , stone
masonry, architecture for period buildings island boat building. open space for meetings and lectures and local crafts.
A community centre !!
Theatre and entertainment venue and bar
the purpose should be to let to raise funds for the bene t of homeless
Bulldoze & build terrace of Georgian facade ats
As a exible community centre available at a reasonable cost to any group or organisation, but not to become the preserve of one or two
"select" groups!
Music Venue
Meetings, events for local organisations
Contemporary Arts centre and Gallery
No idea what it can be used for
As a hall to hire for birthday parties, tness classes, groups etc.
Anything that brings a nancial return. Community assets are ne but they need to get to a stage to pay for themselves.
A community center and event hall that could be let to weddings/small concerts/ meetings to help defray its cost.
A police community centre, somewhere the citizens of Ryde can feel safe to complain about all the rough sleepers, Fellowship House
residents, drug addicts and drunks that have taken over the town.
Indoor market
WHO ON EARTH DECIDED TO BUY THIS!!!
E - 16
A l
fl
i
f t diti
l kill
As a place of learning for traditional skills
Pull it down and sell the land for development (with planning consent) for a capital sum, or use it for housing for an annual rent revenue
to add to RTC coffers.
Restored and used as a local drop in centre or information centre- what ever it takes to preserve its integrity as a buidling
education/community hub/
Community use, vocational training
Youth training centre
Refurbished and sold. You do not have the expertise to run property - proven by the proposed purchase of St Thomas Church which has
been on the market for over 10 years. Surely that tells you something about its value as an asset
Lease to Vernon Square society. Preserve the historic street aspect regardless of use and ensure it remains a visually attractive part of
the town as most bene t is provided from people looking at it, rather than using it.
hireable venue for local organisations (art exhibitions, lm screenings, music), could be part funded and therefore more nancially
sustainable by rent from a couple of residential ats behind the building
Education and training
A community hub a little bit like Aspireryde has already established. A place where local people can access the help and direction they
might need. Whatever the situation.
Something for youth interest and activities as there's not a lot for young people to do anymore.
By the community as a Centre
A place for the homeless to stay warm and safe.
community hall that has a realistically priced rental charge so the public can hire for events etc
Holiday lets
As a more accessible extension of Aspire.
As a drop in arts centre - like a mini Quay Arts
For young people as an employment hub, support with job applications, CVs, interview practice, careers advice etc as well as a place to
meet. A step on from 147, say 16-25.
Local youth and sports groups
Community hub, different activities on different days.
N/A
Community centre
community use
As a micro brewery
E - 17
Demolished
As a community hub or for an o ce for ryde town council to work from
something that covers the costs
As a hall - to rent out for parties, tness classes etc.
I wouldn't have purchased it. The property requires substantial work. You should focus your time and resources on making a success out
of New Ryde Theatre. If Vectis Hall has been purchased already, I recommend seeking partnerships to form a similar approach to
Boathouse 4 College in Portsmouth that focuses on traditional boatbuilding. Traditional carpentry college may open you up for grants
and bursaries to transform the building. Seek this out.
Train young people as skilled apprentices in building / refurbishment whilst renovating the site. Once refurbished it would be a wonderful
site for another community arts centre like quay arts / the depository / monkton arts, with a focus on learning/ ACL courses etc, or if it is
felt that there is already enough focus on the visual arts - it would make a fantastic site for a story century - promoting literacy and a
love of books in children and as a site for young families to come. (Something like seven stories in Newcastle but on a smaller scale)
also to be a central hub for island autors and illustrators to exhibit their work and work on projects together.
Youth services
General community hall for all.
21
The Town Council is in the process of purchasing St Thomas’s Church where it is proposed
the Network Ryde Youth Services team will be based. The larger premises would enable the
Youth Service to offer more activities. The project should be cost neutral due to the savings
in rent at their current premises and the scope for rental income from other community
groups hiring the hall. Would you be in favour of this?
91% (68)
9% (7)
Yes
No
30.5
75
Standard Deviation
Responses
E - 18
22
If yes, how else would you like to see the premises and grounds used?
Environmental education
In a positive way that did not have a negative impact on surrounding homes
1) Links with other community groups. 2) Possible commercial income
Community use for all groups
Gardens of quiet contemplation and/or study, relaxing walks - so long as the areas are treated with the respect deserved: i.e: no rubbish
or dog fouling, no areas of substance abuse - any of which could result in no public access.
Youth Cafe? and reduce the costs per household per annum of £21.03 to Youth Services which is very high
Youth Music Venue.
Community based health activities
As with Vectis Hall, for as wide a range of community use as possible. Maybe try to incorporate some sort of youth and elderly
integration, where each can appreciate the other.
Youth services provision and stop loitering in the gardens
Music events and theatre
Out for hire for events both grounds and building. Grounds to continue to provide a quiet space with an alcohol ban being enforced.
see my answer to #20.
White elephant purchase, but as a clean kept park, and for small entertainment venues perhaps.
Council Building/o ces, Youth Centre, Night Club, Roller skating facility, climbing wall, farmers market,
Relocate the Council o ces into the building until the former Town Hall is useable again. Also use it as a meeting hall for the Council
and others.
Live events, such as music (COVID-19 permitting). The town needs a decent venue with the loss of Ryde Theatre and the ice rink.
Tastefully and sympathetically for exhibitions the arts and low key music events and retaining the quiet garden remains tended and in
tact
restore the building and cemetery
Meetings for other groups
Do not do it! You do not have the expertise
E - 19
Grounds have little public potential. Building itself is a huge liability; cannot be cost neutral if capital costs and ongoing maintenance is
included. Can it?
some where for high school children to go instead of hanging around the sea front a cafe and even a possible disco night , classes
offered , working with ryde academy .
The grounds should be used as a public place where the public can meet ,sit relax without intimidation from any thing. It should be a
garden of rest and peace. Once brought up to standard the church building could be used as an art and music venue.
It's right in the centre of town so any activity that encourages all ages to walk there, or open up St Thomas's St car park for free short
stay evening tickets... I don't know what the acoustics are like but there are many former churches that now make excellent informal
concert or gig venues. Let's give people, especially younger adults, something to do in the evenings.
Indoor / outdoor market, Meeting place for all generations to pop in for tea, coffee and cake especially at the weekends
Showing the history of the church, who built it etc. Perhaps a local business running a takeaway cafe, to enjoy in the gardens.
club activities for all ages of children up to 18years
Playpark and allotments
??
Community garden and allotments, entertainment venue until theatre back on it's feet.
Various activities for youth, run by enthusiastic people and not wish washy social workers.
As a non-denominational church
community use
Arts and crafts studio with space available for an indoor market
As a community hub when not in use by youths and the gardens as a peaceful place to sit
Youth service is good - could it be used as an events (eg weddings etc ) venue for hire to generate extra income ?
I believe there is a covenant on the grounds so use of the area is limited. The proposed use is fair. You could look to open up a 'small
spaces scheme' that identi es parcels of land around the building to develop. It's use could be a historic trail around the grave or build
small self contained units to rent out as art studio space or hospitality.
Promotion and learning about the UNESCO world biosphere status of the island including its history and eco credentials. A site for a
re ll/plastic free market like the one held in Brading on Saturdays. As a central point for winter lantern events like this years Merry and
Bright. A space for art commissions from local artists to be displayed.
Community projects
E - 20
23
PEDESTRIAN PRECINCTThe High
24
Would you be happy to pay an
Street is no longer open to tra c from
increased precept for this project?
the junction of Gar eld Rd to Star
Street. Businesses are permitted to
take deliveries between 6am and
10am. To restrict access to all
vehicles during 10am and 6am it is
proposed that a collapsible barrier be
installed to ensure safety of
pedestrians. The estimated cost
would be £10,000 installation plus
33% (24)
67% (49)
£2,000 locking and unlocking charges
Yes
No
per annum. Would you be in favour of
the installation of a physical barrier?
12.5
73
Standard Deviation
Responses
39% (30)
61% (46)
Yes
No
8
76
Standard Deviation
Responses
E - 21
25
Ryde Town Council has been asked to
consider providing funding to restore
these services to their previous levels.
This would result in an increase in the
local precept (the local tax you pay to
Ryde Town Council, which is in
addition to the services you pay to the
Isle of Wight Council for; such as
waste removal and highways, however
they are included on the same bill).
Would you be happy to pay more to
fund restoring these services to
previous levels?• Increasing the
number of litter and dog bins and the
frequency of emptying• Maintenance
of IOW Council run parks and
community gardens• Improvements to
IOW Council run parks and
gardens• Funding to restore CCTV
provision to previous levels • Funding
to restore the levels of street cleansing
and verge cutting to previous levels
72% (55)
28% (21)
Yes
No
E - 22
